The phenotypes of double burden of malnutrition in pairs of mothers and their children aged 0–59 months at a rural district in west region, Cameroon: A cross-sectional study

Background

In most of the sub-Saharan African countries, there is a lack of epidemiological data on maternal obesity and child undernutrition. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among mother–child pairs in a rural locality of Cameroon, and understand the main associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Health Districts of the locality of Dschang in the West region of Cameroon between June 2021 to November 2021. Data were collected from 200 under-five children of both sexes using a questionnaire that was administered to consented children's mothers/guardians. Malnutrition in children was assessed by WHO growth standards. Logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with different coexisting forms of malnutrition.

Results

The prevalence of DBM phenotypes was 2.7 % for mother overweight/obese-child wasted, 7.7 % for mother overweight/obese-child underweight, and 16.5 % for mother overweight/obese-child stunted. The results from logistic regression analyses showed a great risk of the phenotype mother overweight/obese-child stunted in younger mothers (OR = 3.45; 95 % CI: 1.23–9.69), as was the case in mothers with a low socio-economic level (OR = 3.55; 95 % CI: 1.22–10.33). Additionally, low maternal education level (OR = 16.80; 95 % CI: 1.78–158.58) and limited maternal food consumption (OR = 10.43; 95 % CI: 1.10–98.35) increased the risk of presenting the phenotype of mother overweight/obese-child wasted.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the evidence of DBM among mother-child pairs in rural areas. Further studies are thus needed in other rural localities of the country to better understand the DBM and to develop innovative policies.